If you thought apherisis was some kind of kinky
sexual act, it isn't. But it is important, so as long as
you're here,
keep reading.

Apherisis is similar to blood donating. Except is much less
debilitating
and can be done more frequently. It's a process by which platelets
(a blood
component) are removed from the blood, and the rest of the blood,
red cells,
white cells, fluid, etc. are returned to the body. Because only a
small
component of the blood is removed, you don't even miss it.

It's important for certain types of cancer patients, those
who
have had bone marrow transplants. Over 50% of donated platelets
are supplied
to young people under the age of 25. Some components of blood can
be frozen
and stored, but platelets cannot. They are alive, are stored at
room temperature,
and must be used within five to seven days. Additionally, matching
is much
more critical for the recipient.

Platlets can be obtained from a whole blood donation.
However,
only a small quantity is available. So a recipient might need to
receive
a donation from several different people, and this isn't always a
good
idea. By obtaining just the platlets from one individual the risk
of rejection
is much lower. Indeed, platelet replacement is much closer to an
organ
transplant than it is to a blood donation.

There are several places you can donate platelets in the Chicago
area,
all operated by LifeSource. Lifesource can be
reached
at (847) 298-9660. ( NOTE: sometime during May of
1998, Lifesource
merged with the former United Blood Service, in case you remember
by that
name. All of the former UBS locations are in service, but
operated
by Lifesource.

Now
for the down-side:
It takes longer than a blood donation. It takes about an
hour-and-a-half
or so. (Rent a movie, that's what I do; they have VCR's there. Be
careful
of the length, don't get anything over two hours, though.
Certainly not
"Gone With The Wind.") You sit in a comfortable chair, they take
the
blood
from one arm, process it, and return it to the other arm. It's not
at
all
uncomfortable. It also possible now to donate platelets using only
one
arm, but it takes slightly longer. You're arms may get a little
stiff
because they can't be
moved much, but this comes out right away, while you're scarfing
up the
Oreo cookies and other goodies they have. One more important hint:
do
go to the bathroom before you begin the process. (Kinda
tough
to do when you're hooked up to the machine!)

You can donate as often as every four weeks, compared to at least
eight
weeks between blood donations, so that give you some idea of how
safe the
process is. It's only a minor inconvenience.

Something new: it's called ALYX (pronounced "Alex") and it
amounts
to a double-red-blood-cell donation. Depending on your blood
type, the demand may be for ALYX or platelets. Again, a
machine
is used, but it takes far less time - maybe only one-half
hour.
Also, after an ALYX donation you cannot donate anything for four
months. So if you're a regular whole blood donater every 8
weeks,
you might want to consider this.

They give you a mini-physical, check your blood pressure,
temperature,
weight, iron count, etc. Ask you the usual routine of dumb
questions to
ensure you're a suitable donor. The minimum age is 18, you need to
weigh
over 110 pounds.

If you've surfed in here from far away, check the Yellow Pages or
your
local hospital. I'm sure there a collection point not too far from
you.